“Life doesn’t suck, the way we live it does.”

“That’s nice John, but if we change the way we live life then we die.”

“Then I’ll die a hero!”
”There isn’t thing heroic about choosing not to be farmer. It’s lazy, but not heroic.”

“Well, first I’ll rescue a beautiful princess!”

“One problem, there aren’t any princesses in danger.”

“Oh.”

“Now get back to your cottage, there isn’t anything for you to do around here and I’ve still got work.”

“Honestly Edward, there is always work to do in this village.”

“Yes, and I do it. Unlike you who waits around the fields until your mother calls you home.”

“Its not my fault she’s over protective. I came up with a new idea, lets go to the capital!”

“Okay.”

“Now this is actually a good idea because-, wait, you want to go with me?”

“I’ve been thinking about signing on as an apprentice. All the good merchants are up in the capital. Lets go tomorrow.”

“Sure, I’ll see you later then.”

“Now run along before I change my mind.”

“Bye Edward!”

Edward sighed and wiped his brow before turning his head down to the field and letting his rustic blond hair cover his forehead. He wasn’t quite sure why he agreed to go the capital, there were plenty of traveling merchants he could of signed on with.

I suppose that even at sixteen I still have a sense for adventure.

He lazily finished his job before trotting off towards his minuscule cottage, it was an improvement from when he was an orphan and slept under trees but he still didn’t enjoy it.

It was before the fingers of dawn had touched the sky that Edward woke up. Shouldering his pack of the things he was taking as well as his work tools for the day. He wasn’t sure he wanted to walk the eight day trek to the capital, but knew that he had no choice. All the horses here were used strictly for work or held by the lord of this fief.

As Edward reached where he had left off yesterday he was shocked to find John waiting for him. The boy almost never got up before noon. He was more surprised to see that John had two horses with him, each loaded with packs.

“Ready to depart Edward?”

“How did you manage to get two horses?”

“These poor beasts were being overworked and I liberated them. Besides, no one knows we are leaving.”

“You’re lucky I’m crazy. We better gallop out before the sun comes up.”

No more words needed to be said, both boys would be flogged if caught stealing and a horse was a very valuable item. Both simultaneously mounted the horses and rode off towards the West, the capital was right by the sea.

While they were riding Edward couldn’t help but look at John, the boy was only fourteen and was the youngest in his family. His mother was quite over protective of him and he was different then his siblings. He had dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes. Most of the people in the village had dirty blond hair and dark blue eyes, like Edward himself.

“John, does your family know that you left this morning?”

“No. Do you think they would of let me go?”

“No. I was just curious.”

John let go of his icy tone and followed Edward into a secluded glade where they could have a meal and water there horses securely.

“Edward, what are you planning on doing when you get to the city?”

“I told you, I’ll find a merchant and take up with them. I’m not planning on going back to Lord Krigger. That man taxes and abuses his people.”

“I don’t want to go back either, but I’m not sure what I can do. The cities a tough place and I wouldn’t want to stay there. Maybe I’ll travel with a circus.”

“You don’t have any skills.”

“Minor details, perhaps I’ll join the army. I’m guaranteed a room and food.”

“You do that.”

The rest of the journey the two boys didn’t speak much, it was only three days on horseback and each knew that once the journey was finished they would go their separate ways. Or at least that was what they thought.

They arrived at the capital at early dawn, the gates had barely swung open and pedestrian traffic was low. Both boys were stopped and briefly inspected by guards, no one suspected that the horses had been stolen. Guards generally had more important things to do.

There was small carts and stalls everywhere, though early in the morning most merchants had already set up. The boys passed many an inn and finally rested at a small bench.

The city in itself was nothing wonderful, it was but a fortified place with the merchants and stalls on one level and in the center was the palace. However, coming from the small manor both boys were fully amazed.

Edward had quickly jumped off his horse, and upon dismounted it began to inspect it. Checking the bridle and looking at it with a critical eye he broke into a grin.

“John, I would like to thank you for providing me with two months worth of cheap living.”

“You can’t sell the horse!”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Its stolen property Edward, if someone catches you your dead, whipped, hanged.”

“Which is why it is dangerous to keep the horse. I have to be careful but I can handle myself.”

Shaking his head at John he glanced at the small puddle by the horses foot. It was still rippleing as his horse had stepped in it but as the water settled down it was something else he saw.

It was a small cobblestone path, lined with leafy trees upon each side. Their trunks were in perfect symmetry and the path seemed to go on straight forever, beyond the trees it was a desert land with nothing but sand and wind. The boy strode forward ignoring the swirls of dust his feet sent up. He glanced over his shoulder before rolling into the desert, immediately the path was lost from view and the boy had no idea what lay ahead of him.

John had slapped Edward’s back attempting to get him out of his glazed eyes and still position, within a few minutes Edward looked up and gave him a faint smile.

“Interesting.”

“What is intriguing?”

“That which is not for your eyes to see. Farewell, I wish you luck with the circus or army, perhaps one day you shall be knighted.”

Sighing John mounted his horse and took a sharp left, he was quickly blocked from view by the crowd. The journey was over, and it was quite uneventful. Now he must sell his horse and find some merchant to sign on with. He choose to go by the docks, it was on the far side of the city and weary travelers would not suspect the horse was stolen. He might even make more if he went by the luxury ports, his horse was decent and had a good temperament.

The ride through the city was hard as he was often jostled, men jumped in front of him trying to sell their wares and woman and children ran underfoot. By now it was noon and the market was in full swing, today was a festial of sort it seemed.

Finally he reached the docks and dismounted using gestures to make it obvious that his horse was for sale. Several people lingered for a look but it appeared that the local pubs were far more interesting.

Edward didn’t realize that his horse had been stolen until he reeled in only a rope, it would be impossible to find the thief and he couldn’t report it as he was wanted as well.

It was pointless to stay here now, the first thing he should find was a way to make a living. He would prefer not to be a beggar, so perhaps he would make his way to the market stalls and find some merchant.

As he headed off the docks he took once last glance and stood enthralled for a minute. There was a glorious passenger ship with paint that the sun marvelously showed. It make the small dirty ships near it look inferior, and seem to be loading as wealthy looking people boarded with their servants.

“Aye, shes a real beauty ain’t she? How would you like to be cabin boy for her. Good pay and lodging and wonderful sites to see.”

The man spoke gruffly in Edward’s ear and the thought appealed to him, a sailor’s life would not be so bad, and he would make money.

“Agreed. When shall I board?”

“Talks like a scholar this one, ahoy mates! We got ourselves a cabin boy, show ‘em to the ship.”

“Edward was surrounded by a filthy looking gang in moments and they ushered him not towards the marvelous ship of which he had thought, but a smaller and more repulsive ship. Once realizing where he was going he took a good look at the ‘crew’, they all seemed hurt in someway and none of them carried a professional air.

“You aren’t pirates, are you?”

“Common looters those are, no my man. We aren’t no pirates! Questions can be asked later, we got to catch the tide and be far away soon, got some special cargo on board we do.”

This answer not making him the least bit less tense he boarded the ship, he was guaranteed food and board at least. After being assured the captain would meet him later the ship pushed off the docks and hurriedly headed out towards sea.

Looking around his new ‘home’ he discovered that it really wasn’t that bad. His room had six bunks and two of them were filled. One with a groaning man obviously drunk and in pain and the other was some one he recognized.

“What are you doing here John?”

“They caught me stealing from, somebody important, and decided I might just be useful. What about you?”

“New cabin boy. Who were you stealing from and why?”

“Someone stole the horse and I needed money, was on my way to enlist when I saw a procession and almost got off with a pretty girl’s purse. She was standing far back in the crowd and I didn’t think she was important.”

“She was important?”

“Turns out the princess is in trouble, after trying to run away she was kidnapped.”

“These men, they are all criminals?”

“Nothing you can do about it now. Best try to play along and get off at the next stop.”

“You know what, they couldn’t possibly carry away the Princess! Those royals have attendants and guards and what-not. Let alone I doubt that she would have watched her family and be carried away so easily. Which Princess was ‘kidnapped’ anyway?”

“I thought so to but I saw her and it really has to be the princess. Ariela, she seems to be around fourteen. Why does it matter?”

“A royal heir, the King of this land has no sons and it is legal for a lady to hold power. I think his eldest, Kaylyn is the heir though, beautiful girl she is, and I’ve seen portraits.”
”Well, it can’t be her for the men of this ship identified her as Ariela and not Kaylyn.”

“Lets say that she really is a princess of Draschen, what would they do with her?”

“Well, I don’t know much but probably-“

“They would sell her to another country to use as a hostage, that’s what. She’ll be gone before long, and so will I. I didn’t plan on staying with you longer then the journey to the capital and I shall be going once we make our first stop.”

"I doubt that lad, me and my mates ain’t planning on letting you go so easily.”

Author's Note: Wrote it for a writting seminar, haven't yet attuned to their critizim but I thought I get more (from you guys) before I continued, Check out my fanfiction account!